“Poor little wretch, what a time she will have of it between Charlotte and the brats!”

But Christie needed no pity, and thought herself a fortunate young woman when fairly established in her corner of the luxurious apartments occupied by the family.  Her duties seemed light compared to those she had left, her dreams were almost as bright as of old, and the new life looked pleasant to her, for she was one of those who could find little bits of happiness for herself and enjoy them heartily in spite of loneliness or neglect.

One of her amusements was studying her companions, and for a time this occupied her, for Christie possessed penetration and a feminine fancy for finding out people.

Mrs. Saltonstall’s mission appeared to be the illustration of each new fashion as it came, and she performed it with a devotion worthy of a better cause.  If a color reigned supreme she flushed herself with scarlet or faded into primrose, made herself pretty in the bluest of blue gowns, or turned livid under a gooseberry colored bonnet.  Her hat-brims went up or down, were preposterously wide or dwindled to an inch, as the mode demanded.  Her skirts were rampant with sixteen frills, or picturesque with landscapes down each side, and a Greek border or a plain hem.  Her waists were as pointed as those of Queen Bess or as short as Diana’s; and it was the opinion of those who knew her that if the autocrat who ruled her life decreed the wearing of black cats as well as of vegetables, bugs, and birds, the blackest, glossiest Puss procurable for money would have adorned her head in some way.

Her time was spent in dressing, driving, dining and dancing; in skimming novels, and embroidering muslin; going to church with a velvet prayer-book and a new bonnet; and writing to her husband when she wanted money, for she had a husband somewhere abroad, who so happily combined business with pleasure that he never found time to come home.  Her children were inconvenient blessings, but she loved them with the love of a shallow heart, and took such good care of their little bodies that there was none left for their little souls.  A few days’ trial satisfied her as to Christie’s capabilities, and, relieved of that anxiety, she gave herself up to her social duties, leaving the ocean and the governess to make the summer wholesome and agreeable to “the darlings.”

Mr. Fletcher, having tried all sorts of pleasure and found that, like his newspaper, there was “nothing in it,” was now paying the penalty for that unsatisfactory knowledge.  Ill health soured his temper and made his life a burden to him.  Having few resources within himself to fall back upon, he was very dependent upon other people, and other people were so busy amusing themselves, they seemed to find little time or inclination to amuse a man who had never troubled himself about them.  He was rich, but while his money could hire a servant to supply each want, gratify each caprice, it could not buy a tender, faithful friend to serve for love, and ask no wages but his comfort.